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Prescription medication · Glycylcycline Antibiotic

tigecycline

Also sold as Tygacil. Tigecycline treats complicated skin infections, infections inside the belly, and community-acquired pneumonia.

Data updated 2026-05-15

5,878
FDA reportsLightly reported
2
InteractionsFew interactions
Rx
Availability

What the data shows

tigecycline (Tygacil) is a prescription Glycylcycline Antibiotic, reported less often than most tracked drugs (5,878 FDA reports), with 2 documented drug interactions.

Reporting volume reflects how widely a drug is used and studied, not how dangerous it is, a FAERS report documents a temporal association, never proof of cause.

tigecycline (Tygacil) is a prescription Glycylcycline Antibiotic. Tigecycline treats complicated skin infections, infections inside the belly, and community-acquired pneumonia.

Tigecycline is an antibiotic medicine. It fights bacteria in your body to treat certain infections.

Verify with FDA → · CMS NADAC pricing →

View Alternatives → Compare with Another Drug → Full Side Effects Report →

What it does

Tigecycline treats complicated skin infections, infections inside the belly, and community-acquired pneumonia.

Common side effects

Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea

Key warnings

Tigecycline may increase the risk of death compared to other antibiotics.

The sections below are summarized in plain English from tigecycline's FDA-approved prescribing information. They describe what the official label says, and are not personal medical advice.

How It Works

Tigecycline stops bacteria from growing. It does this by interfering with how the bacteria makes proteins. This helps your body fight off the infection.

How to Take It

You will receive tigecycline through a needle in your vein (IV). The first dose is 100 mg, then 50 mg every 12 hours. Each IV dose takes 30 to 60 minutes. Treatment usually lasts 5 to 14 days, depending on the infection.

This is a plain-language summary of tigecycline's FDA labeling, not individualized dosing advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before changing how you take this medication.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Tigecycline can cause permanent tooth discoloration and bone growth problems in babies. Avoid taking tigecycline during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Do not breastfeed for more than 3 weeks while taking tigecycline.

This is a plain-language summary of tigecycline's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber about pregnancy or breastfeeding on this medication.

Missed Dose

Since tigecycline is given by a healthcare provider, you are unlikely to miss a dose. If you are concerned, talk to your doctor.

This is a plain-language summary of tigecycline's FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber what to do about your specific missed dose.

Storage

Before mixing, store tigecycline at room temperature.

Side Effects (from patient reports)

Based on 5,878 FDA adverse event reports.

Most-reported reactions

Adverse reactions in FAERS for tigecycline, by number of reports

reports

What this shows Bars show how often each reaction was reported, not how likely it is to happen, a report records a temporal association, never proof that the drug caused it.

Source FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) As of 2025

Reports over time

Adverse-event reports filed for tigecycline each year to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).

-2000200400600800 20052008201120142017202020232025 479

Year-to-year volume tracks usage, prescribing, and scrutiny, not a change in per-patient risk. Source: FDA FAERS.

Where tigecycline sits

tigecycline has more FDA adverse-event reports than 27% of the drugs FAERS tracks. A high position reflects how widely a drug is used and watched, not how dangerous it is.

fewest reports most reports

Percentile across all drugs PlainMeds tracks by FAERS report volume. The dot is tigecycline; the line is the median (50th percentile).

FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis

Detailed analysis of 5,878 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 2005–2025.

Total Reports

5,878

Reports Mentioning Death

1,597

27.2% of reports — not proof of cause

Hospitalization Reports

2,363

Top Indication

Product Used For Unknown Indication

Gender Distribution

Female 2,229 (43%)
Male 2,948 (56%)

Age Distribution

0–17 302
18–44 980
45–64 1,376
65–74 932
75+ 864

Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)

# Reaction Reports
3 NAUSEA 390
4 VOMITING 267
5 SEPSIS 265
6 THROMBOCYTOPENIA 254
7 DEATH 252
8 SEPTIC SHOCK 227
9 DRUG RESISTANCE 210
10 DIARRHOEA 202
11 PATHOGEN RESISTANCE 202
12 COAGULOPATHY 195
13 CONDITION AGGRAVATED 190
14 PLATELET COUNT DECREASED 167
16 PYREXIA 166
17 ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY 158
18 PANCREATITIS ACUTE 149

Reactions in Death Reports

DEATH 252
SEPTIC SHOCK 176
SEPSIS 160
MULTIPLE ORGAN DYSFUNCTION SYNDROME 98
THROMBOCYTOPENIA 92
PATHOGEN RESISTANCE 85
MULTI-ORGAN FAILURE 76
TREATMENT FAILURE 75
PNEUMONIA 70
CONDITION AGGRAVATED 65

Reactions in Hospitalization Reports

THROMBOCYTOPENIA 156
NAUSEA 149
SEPSIS 139
SEPTIC SHOCK 119
VOMITING 118
DIARRHOEA 112
PYREXIA 103
PANCREATITIS ACUTE 95
PNEUMONIA 85
ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY 82

Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation

Serious Warnings

Tigecycline may increase the risk of death compared to other antibiotics. Because of this, only use tigecycline when other treatments are not suitable.

Known Drug Interactions

moderate cyclosporine

( 7.1 ) Calcineurin Inhibitors: Serum concentrations of calcineurin inhibitors (e.g., tacrolimus, cyclosporine) should be monitored during treatment with tigecycline for injection due to risk of toxicity. 7.2 Calcineurin Inhibitors Concomitant use of tigecycline for injection and calcineurin inhibitors such as tacrolimus or cyclosporine may lead to an increase in serum trough concentrations of the calcineurin inhibitors.

Mechanism: Tigecycline can cause the amount of cyclosporine in your blood to increase to unsafe levels.

What to do: Your doctor should check your blood levels often to make sure the dose is safe and to prevent toxicity.

minor warfarin

Table 2: Examples of CYP450 Interactions with Warfarin Enzyme Inhibitors Inducers CYP2C9 amiodarone, capecitabine, cotrimoxazole, etravirine, fluconazole, fluvastatin, fluvoxamine, metronidazole, miconazole, oxandrolone, sulfinpyrazone, tigecycline, voriconazole, zafirlukast aprepitant, bosentan, carbamazepine, phenobarbital, rifampin CYP1A2 acyclovir, allopurinol, caffeine, cimetidine, ciprofloxacin, disulfiram, enoxacin, famotidine, fluvoxamine, methoxsalen, mexiletine, norfloxacin, oral contraceptives, phenylpropanolamine, propafenone, propranolol, terbinafine, thiabendazole,...

Mechanism: Tigecycline blocks the liver enzyme that normally breaks down warfarin. This causes warfarin to stay in your system longer, which can make your blood too thin and increase the risk of bleeding.

What to do: Your doctor should check your blood clotting levels more often. They may need to lower your warfarin dose while you are taking this antibiotic.

This is a plain-language summary of interactions documented in FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before combining medications.

Common Questions

What should I tell my doctor before taking tigecycline?
Tell your doctor if you are allergic to tigecycline or tetracycline antibiotics.
Can tigecycline affect my liver?
Yes, tigecycline can cause liver problems. Your doctor will monitor your liver function.
Can tigecycline cause diarrhea?
Yes, tigecycline can cause diarrhea, including Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea.
Will tigecycline affect my blood?
Tigecycline can lower fibrinogen levels in your blood. Your doctor will check your blood regularly.
Can tigecycline affect my teeth?
Yes, tigecycline can cause permanent tooth discoloration if taken during tooth development.
What if I have liver problems?
If you have severe liver problems, your dose of tigecycline will be lower.
Can I take tigecycline if I'm breastfeeding?
Avoid breastfeeding for longer than 3 weeks while taking tigecycline.
Does tigecycline interact with other medicines?
Yes, tigecycline can interact with warfarin and calcineurin inhibitors. Tell your doctor about all medicines you take.
Can tigecycline cause an allergic reaction?
Yes, tigecycline can cause allergic reactions, including severe ones.
What if I get pancreatitis?
If you have symptoms of pancreatitis, your doctor may stop tigecycline.
What are the common side effects of tigecycline?
The most commonly reported side effects of tigecycline include Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea, Abdominal pain, Headache. Based on 5,878 FDA adverse event reports. Always consult your healthcare provider about potential side effects.
Does tigecycline interact with other medications?
Yes, tigecycline has 2 known drug interactions. Notable interactions include cyclosporine, warfarin. Always inform your doctor about all medications you are taking.
What drug class is tigecycline?
tigecycline belongs to the Glycylcycline Antibiotic drug class. It requires a prescription (Rx). Tigecycline treats complicated skin infections, infections inside the belly, and community-acquired pneumonia.
Is tigecycline safe during pregnancy?
Tigecycline can cause permanent tooth discoloration and bone growth problems in babies. Avoid taking tigecycline during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Always consult your healthcare provider before using any medication during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Related Medications in Glycylcycline Antibiotic

Other drugs grouped near tigecycline - same-class peers and common alternatives.

amikacin

Amikin

Amikacin is an antibiotic medicine.

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amoxicillin

Amoxil

Amoxicillin and Clavulanate Potassium is a combination medicine used to fight bacterial infections.

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amoxicillin/clavulanate

Augmentin

Augmentin is a combination of two medicines, amoxicillin and clavulanate.

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ampicillin/sulbactam

Unasyn

Unasyn is a combination of two antibiotics that fights bacteria in your body.

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azithromycin

Zithromax, Z-Pack

Azithromycin is an antibiotic that fights bacteria.

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Compare tigecycline vs amikacin side-by-side →

Medication Guides

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What the FDA Data Shows for tigecycline

The FDA label for tigecycline (sold under brand names such as Tygacil) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Glycylcycline Antibiotic class. Tigecycline treats complicated skin infections, infections inside the belly, and community-acquired pneumonia. Official labeling lists 5 commonly reported side effects, including Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhea.

Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 5,878 voluntary reports. The database also lists 2 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated moderate severity. Acquisition-cost data is surveyed weekly by CMS and updated as manufacturers report changes.

Report counts do not establish causation, a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history, and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.

Data Sources

Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).

FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.

Last updated: January 6, 2026

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Data currency: FDA FAERS adverse-event reports through 2025, CMS NADAC acquisition-cost pricing effective December 2024, compiled and last refreshed May 2026. See our methodology for per-source dates and refresh cadence. Spot a figure that looks wrong? Report a correction.

All federal data sources used on this page